"Steph, I read the card they are from Mark." Lester says to me thru the bathroom door. "Are you ok?"

"Yep" I reply. "I am just laying here waiting on the room to quit spinning."

"What's going on? Did the skip bother you that much? Or was it my stalker comment?"

"no I think I have a bug or something."

"Could you be pregnant?"

I roll my eyes. "No I had my monthly visitor last week, thank you! Besides I get a birth control shot every few months." Man why am I telling him all that?

"Maybe you need to see Bobby."

"Maybe. I'm going to jump in the shower. You staying? Please?"

"I'll be right out here"

After 45 minutes in the shower I finally feel clean again. I hate skips that put their hands and mouth's on me. Not sure how I am going to explain the hickey on my neck to my mom. Maybe I can avoid going over there until it fades.

It is time to check out the flowers and the card. They are beautiful.

Sweetheart,

Had a great time on our date. Hope to see you soon.

XMark

Very sweet. Can't remember the last time a man sent me flowers.

"Beautiful, you feeling better?"

"Much. Do you think you could stay for a while?"

"Of course. Ghostbusters?" Lester has been here for me so much since Ranger left. He is truly my best male friend now.

"You know me so well"

I woke up the next morning burning up. Lester is in my bed with me and he has me in a death grip. I work myself free and barely make it to the bathroom before I throw up yet again.

So glad it is Saturday. I am going to veg out and watch TV until I have to get ready for my date with Mark tonight.

"Lester time to get out of my bed"

"Stephanie, Did you just throw up again?" I pretended like I didn't hear that question.

Lester left around 4 so I could get ready for Mark to pick me up at 6. I was feeling better than this morning.

Mark actually knocks on the door. Someone that doesn't break in. Wow. He looks nice in his blue jeans and dark blue button down.

"Hey Sweetheart, I brought Chinese food. Thought we could stay in and get to know each other better?" Hmm...not sure what is going on here. When we talked about tonight we decided to go out to eat and then to a movie.

"Ok, let me get some plates and silverware. Beer or water?"

"I'll have whatever you are having." Water it is then.

I was able to enjoy the food without feeling sick. Maybe this bug is just about out of my system.

It turned out Mark's getting idea of getting to know each other better meant he wanted to go straight to my bedroom. I politely told him that was not in my plans with him and made him leave. After one date and flowers he thinks he can get in my pants?

Men can't live with them can't shoot them!

Ranger has been gone almost three months and I have not heard one word from him. I know he is doing well because he has been on our weekly Core team conference calls.

I haven't heard from Mark again and that is fine by me.

I have gone out dancing with the Rangeman guys a few times. I have been the designated driver. After getting sick on the Long Island Ice Teas and Tequila last month it will be a while before I want to drink again.

Lester has spent the night a few times but just as friends. It is nice to wake up with someone once in a while. He is great to cuddle with.

Joe was home a few weeks ago. We got together at his house to watch the World Series and have some pizza. He is still trying to decide what to do with his house. The job in New York is not what he thought it would be so he may move back to Trenton. He made sure I knew his boys missed me. I have to admit I would not have minded seeing the boys. But after he commented that I had gained weight and my boobs getting bigger so I decided I could do without the boys.

I am working a distraction for Tank tonight. The guy we are trying to pick up is a bad dude. He is wanted in New York for beating his wife into a coma. My spidey sense is going off big time. I know the guys have a great plan and will not let me get hurt but I am still uneasy.

Lester has been picking me up for distractions sine Ranger left. He lets me put my own mic on though.

The skips name tonight is Rob Jonas. He looks is a big guy and I would probably think he was good looking if he were not so mean.

"Steph, Ram is behind the bar, Junior and Hal are sitting at the bar close to Jonas and Lester and I will be out here waiting for you to bring him out." Tank tells me while I am putting my mic on.

"Alright. Let's go boys." I head over to the bar and walk over to where Jonas is sitting. "Gin and Tonic, please" I glance around the club like I am looking for someone.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong Baby?" Jonas takes the bait. "My ex is over there with his new girlfriend. I really don't want him to see that I am here alone"

"Well Sweetness, let's get you a chair and you can sit with me and you won't be alone" Baby, Sweetness is he trying out terms of endearment to see which one fits?

"I'm Ginger" I say as I offer him my hand. "Jessie" he says and kisses my hand. Yuck.

After some chit chat it is time to try to get him out of here. "Jessie I think I am going to head home. Would you like to go?" I ask while giving him my best seductive smile.

"Sure Sweetcheeks. Let me pay the bill" Another name? Is this guy for real?

Finally we are heading towards the door and someone calls my name. "Stephanie Plum is that you?" I keep walking trying not to acknowledge the person calling my name. "Are you acting like you are a Bounty Hunter? Blown up any cars lately?" Dang I wish I had my gun I would shoot this guy. It finally clicks with Jonas that the guy is talking to me. He grabs be around the neck and pulls a knife while pushing me out the front door.

Tank and Lester realize what is going on and pull their guns shouting for him to let me go. Jonas drags me across the parking lot to a beat up Chevy truck. All the guys are out of the club now and have their guns pointed at us. Good thing I trust them with my life.

"Jonas, let her go and we will talk." Tank always the voice of reason.

"Nah Man the bitch is going with me." The thought of being a hostage again hits me and I'm suddenly feeling very sick. "I am going to throw up. You better let me go." He looks at me like I am crazy so I throw up all over his feet. "Damn Bitch" he screams and stabs me in the shoulder. I hear gunshots as I fall to the ground and then everything fades to black.